Really enjoyed the match and Ding proved he's top class - textbook technique and clinical breakbuilding - a big contender for the Worlds.On a sidenote: first prize for JV this week for his dramatic commentary - best I ever heard for a long time !

Well done Ding, He played brillant he was good to see the first all-Asian Major Final. Marco Fu can be proud for himself he beat Mark Allen 6-4 one of the hot prospects and whitewashed Ebdon. Ding played well against Williams, Dott Cope of course he was in the frame of the mind. It was good to see that he has recovered when he was upset at the 2007 Masters Final. China will defintely has more players in the next few years I hope they do.

1. For me, Ding Junhui was without doubt, the player of the tournament, his clinicality in the balls was as good as anything you could have seen. Not just the centuries, but how many times he managed to kill a frame in one visit was exemplary.

2. When he came on the scene, I thought that he was a potential all-time great and he is closing in on this status. Already, his tally of 'big 3' events is greater than that of players like Jimmy White, John Parrott, Peter Ebdon and Neil Robertson. Ding is the best player I have seen play, with the exception of Hendry, O'Sullivan and Higgins, even better than Mark Williams for me, whose achievements I think he will surpass.

3. Overall, we were being told that the upsets represented the standard going up, when the century count was lower than the normal and there was only one really top draw match- the semi-final between Fu and Allen. Strangely, no final frame deciders either and a few too many top stars exiting early led to a intriguing, but ultimately not a classic event. Though, no doubt, there will plenty retorting with because O'Sullivan went out early that joker Brannon doesn't appreciate any other snooker.

4. However, this landmark final for the game's global pretensions also gave us a glimpse of the future, which will feature even more Asian success that in turn will probably push the standard even higher as any sport with a wider spread of nationalities is going to be stronger, you would think.

5. The career of Marco Fu baffles me, to have only won two major events (counting Premier League) is a massive failing that disappoints me, as I really like the amiable Hong Kong cueman. In the balls he can be a metronome, allied to a sound tactical game and a temperament that most players would be envious of. Centuries don't tell the whole tale, but they are a good indicator of standard. It is not coincidental that the four greatest players of the Crucible era are also the four most prolific century makers of all-time. However, Marco Fu looks out of place in the tenth place on this list when you compare his titles to those above him and to many below, too. Would be interested for people's view on why he has not achieved more, when the ingredients seem ripe for more frequent success.

The main one being that you put Ding in your top four of alltime already.

Ding is very good and may become a genuine great but at this point he would be top 10 of alltime at best and his current B game isn't quite on the same level as afew other top players so still room for improvement there.

The only thing that Marco Fu lacks is a decent power game for deep screws and disturbing the pack more effectively.Apart from that Marco has the allround ingredients to win more titles than he does.

Brannon - Jimmy has played in 6 World finals and won 10 ranking events, JP has won a world title and contested another final as well as winning 9 ranking events, Ebbo has won a world title and contested two other finals, while Robbo has also recently become only the 2nd genuine overseas player to win at the Crucible, and is currently challenging for World number 1.As for mark Williams, at one point he held ALL FOUR BBC titles and was world number 1.

Achievement in the game's blue riband event will always be the main indicator of a players true talent and ability, so remind me - how many times has Ding reached the last 8 at Sheffield?

Firstly, never said he was the fourth greatest of all-time, be nice if people actually read the article.

Just said that he was the best in terms of ability, totally different issue.

If you read it, I said Ding is not even an all-time great, but on his way there.

How can I judge a players talent that I never saw? I am not denigrating Cliff Thorburn and others before my time, but if I didn't see them play it is unfair for me to judge them in this regard. Although in terms of the greatest debate you can look at what they won.

I enjoy the tactical side of the game and don't see why one visit snooker is being frowned upon, it is one of the reasons why the game is even better entertainment than it has ever been and reflects the increased standard, which is too be celebrated rather than frowned upon.

Once again, if you read my comments I say the centuries don't tell the whole tale, but the list does correlate a lot with a list on who is the greatest.

I have been watching Marco Fu for a few years now. Fu's main problem is that he has always been regularly switching his cueing techniques all too frequently which has contributed to an inconsistent rhythm.

Secondly, his Jekyll and Hyde symptoms often kick in for no apparent reason - losing to nobodies in the earlier rounds while playing like a perennial top 8 player against a class opponent, especially the likes of Sullivan and Higgins.

Thirdly, this bloke is apparently not on good terms with Lady Luck - often potting the white ball while trying to escape or set up a snooker, and at crucial moments at that. Also, it has to be said, when the pressure is on in a game decided by only the remaining colour balls, he SOMEHOW conjures up a way to lose. You just have the feeling he wont prevail e.g. final frame against Murphy 2008 UK Championship.

To have reached only 2 major finals is an indication of a waste of talents - remember when he made his debut, he was talked about as a future world champion. Maybe he would win the Crucible 2011 for all that we know!

Some horrendous backtracking there from Mr Brannon. Ding is well on his way to being an all time great is he? Look at his record at The Crucible!! If Mark Williams won a third world title would he still not be on your all time list although he would be equal with your beloved Ronnie and John Higgins? Then again, he doesn't make that many centuries so he obviously can't be an all time great.And, by the way, there is no such word as clinicality.